(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZoo) is nominated for Best Zoo in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and you can help them get to #1 by voting!

In 2024, CMZoo was among the top 10 best zoos, rated #5 in the nation by loyal fans who voted. This is CMZoo’s ninth consecutive year being nominated for Best Zoo in the U.S. in the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

Voting is open through March 10 at 10 a.m., and supporters can vote every day! Click here to submit your vote. CMZoo was sitting in second place on the leaderboard as of Thursday, Feb. 13.

“Anyone who has made eye contact with a tiger, pet a wallaby, felt the roar of an African lion, hand-fed a giraffe or walked alongside an African penguin knows how special our hometown Zoo is,” said CMZoo. “This friendly competition amongst zoos nationwide is an excellent way to show your support.”

CMZoo said there are plenty of reasons to vote for our local zoo, which includes its vital work in conservation and breeding programs. In the past year, the Zoo welcomed a red panda, snow leopard, baby sloth and more to the family, while continuing its important work breeding and releasing critically endangered native black-footed ferrets and Wyoming toads.

CMZoo also said its latest AZA accreditation was historic. In nearly 50 years of AZA accreditations, CMZoo was only the fourth organization to earn a completely ‘clean’ report, which means there wasn’t a single major or minor concern reported.